The Clue in the Jewel Box

CHAPTER XV

As Nancy struggled vainly to free herself, one of the men spoke. His voice sounded disguised.

“Nancy Drew, I’m warning you that if you don’t do as we tell you, you’ll be sorry, and your father sorrier. You’ve got to mind your own business!”

Nancy squirmed sideways, trying to see her captors. The men’s masks made it impossible to distinguish their features.

The taller of the two gave her a rough shake. “Will you promise?”

“Promise what?” Nancy mumbled as the hand on her mouth was lifted slightly.

“Stop trying to be a detective!”

“Are you afraid I’ll have you arrested?” Nancy countered.

An automobile was coming down the street, its headlights cutting a path along the dark pavement. The engine had a familiar sound. Her father’s car! Nancy took heart. She must keep on sparring for time until he turned in.

She struggled to break free. “Take your hands off me!” she mumbled but the men paid no attention. They held on tighter and once more made their demand.

The car, which had been approaching slowly, turned into the Drew driveway. Nancy gave a quick jerk, freeing her mouth for a second.

“Help! Help!” she shouted.

The man who held her gave the girl a sudden push which sent her reeling into the steps of the side porch.

“Come on!” he snapped to his companion. “We’d better get out of here!”

Crouching low, they ran along the hedge, and disappeared into the protecting shadows of the garden next door.

Carson Drew leaped from his car and hurried to Nancy’s side. She fell into his arms, exhausted by the encounter.

“Why did you scream?” he demanded anxiously.

“Two men-” She pointed to where they had gone. “Oh, Dad, if you hadn’t come, I don’t know what would have happened.”

Breathlessly Nancy told him how his timely arrival had saved her from further threats. She and her father quickly ran in the direction the men had taken and searched in the neighbor’s garden, but the strangers had disappeared.

“Did you recognize either of them, Nancy? How were they dreased?”

“They wore stocking masks. The build of one of the men resembled that of David Dorrance and his double.”

“The thief is afraid you’re getting too hot on his trail,” Mr. Drew said thoughtfully.

Nancy told of her suspicions and of her report to the police.

“I’m glad you told the chief,” he replied. “And hereafter, let them track down the pickpocket. You’ll only be inviting danger if you continue to trail him. Next time I might not be around to save you!” he added affectionately, and took her hand as he led her back to their home.

“I’ve been hoping,” Nancy said, “to recover the money for the Boys Club and your stolen papers.”

“The thief probably has spent the money by this time,” Mr. Drew replied. “Don’t worry any more about my wallet. Buy me another for my birthday!”

As they sat at dinner a little later, she observed that her father looked worried.

“Nancy,” he said quietly, “I wish you would stop taking so much interest in Mrs. Alexandra.”

“Why, Dad”-Nancy stared at her father in dismay-“I can’t abandon the dear lady to Michael’s clutches! Only today I learned that he has been robbing her of rather large sums of money. Wait until you see this paper!” she added, getting the slip from her purse.

Mr. Drew inspected the sales notations obtained through Anna and Mr. Faber.

“You don’t expect Mrs. Alexandra to believe that her grandson is a thief?” he asked.

“No, and I don’t intend to tell her until I have more proof.”

“Don’t do anything until I’ve had time to consider the legal angle,” her father advised.

“I’ll wait,” Nancy promised. “Telling the poor woman the truth will probably end our friendship, anyway.”

As she spoke, the telephone rang. Mrs. Gruen answered it, and then reported that the call was for Nancy.

“I think it’s Helen Archer,” the housekeeper said.

Fearing that there might be some new difficulty regarding the torn gown, Nancy ran to talk to her friend.

“For once I haven’t a scrap of bad news to report,” Helen assured her. “Mr. Ellington phoned and wants us to organize a hayride. Of course he’ll be Katherine’s partner.”

“Tonight?”

“No, tomorrow after the evening performance. He suggests we go to the Red Lion Inn for supper and dancing.”

“A hayride would be fun!” Nancy exclaimed. “Tell me more about it.”

“Mr. Ellington is sure Katherine is going to win the grand prize at the fashion show, so he wants to give a party for her. Unfortunately he can’t join us until we reach the inn,” Helen explained. “He has a business appointment in Harbortown.”

For some time the two girls discussed plans for the hayride, working out every detail. A window not far from where Nancy sat was open, and the curtains fluttered in the breeze, just enough for anyone outside to look in. A man was crouching below, listening to the telephone conversation. Nancy had her back turned, and did not notice.

“We’ll have a grand time tomorrow night,” she declared before hanging up. “Especially if Katherine wins the big prize And I’m sure she will!”

Since Nancy wanted to appear fresh for the next day’s fashion show, she went to bed early. For a long while she tossed on her pillow, thinking of the puzzles which confronted her. Of them all, she was still particularly intrigued by the little nightingale’s words, “clue in jewel box.”

“The jewel box must be the Footman,” she thought over and over. “The queen mother’s family and trusted servants knew it was the one holding her most valuable pieces.”

Nancy felt that the revelation of the secret might in some way make up to Mrs. Alexandra for the disgraceful behavior of the prince.

“That little Footman must have another opening,” she reflected.

Try as she would, Nancy could think of no way to open it. Morning did not bring any solution to the vexing problem. It continued to plague Nancy throughout the day, even as she went through her afternoon routine at the fashion show. Then, just as she left the building, an idea flashed into her mind.

“That may be it!” Nancy thought excitedly. “I must go to Mrs. Alexandra’s home at once. I only hope I won’t find Michael there!”